Investec looks for referrals after gifting Halliwells place on panel

Halliwells has landed a place on the advisory panel to Investec Bank's growing Manchester office in the hope that the firm will provide client referrals to the investment bank.

The firm's appointment bolsters Investec's local legal panel of nine firms, with Halliwells expected to advise primarily on property-related banking work.

A spokesperson for the Investec office said it was also hoped that Halliwells would refer clients to the bank's developing Manchester operation, or at least enable "introductions" between reciprocal clients. Investec launched in Manchester 18 months ago.

Halliwells was the only new addition to Investec's Manchester office panel, which includes Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Cobbetts, Denton Wilde Sapte, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary, Eversheds, Richards Butler and Manchester firm Field Cunningham & Co.

Banking solicitor Rick Sealy, who is overseeing the firm's relationship with Investec alongside head of property Mike Edge, explained that the firm secured the appointment after approaching Investec off the back of several recent mutual transactions.

Sealy said that the firm hoped to expand its initial role advising the Manchester office on property-related banking work in the North to a more widespread advisory relationship.

However, Investec general counsel Lauren Ekon explained that the Manchester office's panel was overseen locally and was separate to Investec Bank's wider list of preferred legal advisers.